Wine of the week

Fattorie Romeo del Castello Allegracore 2014, Etna Rosso,
Italy

Who wouldn't be drawn to a wine called Allegracore -
happy heart, named after the spot where the vines are grown? I can
think of all sorts of occasions when it would strike the right
note, not least leap-year marriage proposals next Monday and, less
limited in application, Mother's Day a week on Sunday. Even without
an excuse, this is a lovely winter-into-spring rosso from the
super-fashionable (in wine terms) slopes of Mount Etna. Volcanic
soils, Etna's glinting sunlight and cooling high altitudes make an
ideal combination for producing red wines of distinctive character
and finesse. Made from the local Nerello Mascalese grape, which
gives a fragrant, wild strawberry flavour with a spicy, cherry
kernel twist, the overall effect is of a two-for-one cross between
fine red Burgundy and elegant, modern Barolo. In the absence of
chunky tannins, it's versatile too - comfortable with red meat,
veal, pork, duck or tuna, as well as with pasta, tomato and veggie
dishes.